Electric switch



A. L. KITCHENS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23.1922.

Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

Patented am, '1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcs.

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- Application .1101! Iebnary 88, um. Serial-Io. 640,082.

- To all-wlwmitmay concern:

Be it known that Ancnm Lnn Krromms, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Bagwell, in thecounty of 'Red River and State ofTexas, has invented new and useful Improvements in. Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to rovide a simple, inexpensive and efiicient switch designe icularly for use in connection with incandescent electric lights, wherein the light ma be dimmed or varied, in intensity to suit t e requirements of the ,operator as for-example in using. the same as a night or sick room lamp orwhere a light which isof an intensity les than that which is afforded by the complete strength of the current is notrequired; and w th this object in view the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is shown in theacco'mpanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view of the switch in its opened position. r igure 2 is a similarview with the switch in its closed position. p

The device consistsof a base 10 carrying terminals 11 and 12 provided with binding posts 13 and 14 for the attachment 9f the conductor wires 15 and L6 extending from any suitable source of energy. The terminal 11 is of spring or yielding construction and I consists of a tongue'a'rranged in the path of a cam 17 carried by an operating lever 18 1, which is fulcrumed as indicated at 19 upon 1 a suitable supporting bracket 20.

Mounted upon the terminal 12 for ad'ustment longitudinallythereof and of ,the ase 40 is a contact 21 consisting of a pin-I or its equivalent, and in connection therewith is arranged a set-screw 22for engagement with the terminal to secure the contact element in its adjusted positions, while yieldin ly supported in the path of movement of t e yieldmg terminal 1 1 and adapted forengagement' with the contact 21 vis a resistance contact 23 consisting of a bar having a relatively low co-efiicient of conductivity a d which Is arranged for actuation by the to 'nal with which it contacts at its free end, to permit of I bringing the resistance contact element into engagement with the first-named contact ele-' ment at a pomt 1n the length ofthe former .sity of a light which is determined by the'adjustment of the latter. 0 v

In operation the current of electricit in passing for example'f-rom the termina 12 to the terminal 11 must pass through the contact element 21 and through that portlon of the resistance-contact element which is between the point of contact of the terminal 21 withthe contact element 23 and th'e extremity 6f the contact element-23 which is in en gement with the terminal 11, and obvlous y by varying the adjustment of the contact element-21 with relation to the length of the contact element 23,11 greater or less length of the contact element 23 maybe induced into the circuit'to correspondingly vary the resistance and therefore the inten-- produced by a lamp included in the circuit.

In order that the resistance contact element may be movable out of and into contact with the' relatively stationary but adjustable contact element 21 without bending or flexing the former, as in the event that the material of which the resistance contact element is made or provided will not permit of bending or flexing, the said resistance element may be supportedby a spring similar to the terminal 11 which in practice may.

be of brass, copper or any uivalent thereof and is preferably of such 'inensions as to permit of the bendin or flexing thereof under the operation of t e actuating cam.

,Having described the invention, what claimed as new and useful is:- 1. A switch for the purpose indicated having' terminals of which one, is movable to close and open the circuit, and contact .eleinents for engagement to complete the circui one of which is of resistance ofl'ering material and is arranged-in the path of and in cdii tact with theimovable terminal for movement thereby into engagement with the other contact element. 4 p

2. A switch for the purpose indicated having terminals of which one is movable to close and open the circuit, and contact ele-' ments for engagement to complete the cit cuit, one of which is of resistance ofiering material and is'arranged in the} path of and in contact with the mo ablq' terminal for movement thereby intoengagement with the other contact element, one of said contact ing elements adjustable to vary the movement thereby into engagement withjthe other contact element, the second-named contact element being movable in a path parallel with the length of the first-named contact element to vary the point of contact of said elements toward andfrom the point of contact of the first-named element with the movable terminal.

In testimony whereof he afiixes his signature. 1

ARCHIE LEE KITCHENS. 

